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Oct 21, 2011 5:48am
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 SimonW
Universal Champion
Joined: Sep 2006
Location: In your mind.
Posts: 34
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Dartho (a story)
This...is a story I decided to put up. It is an original story of my own. Judge me, hate me, praise me, ask me anything. I shall upload the chapters bit by bit in parts.
So without further ado, I give you people...Dartho.
Book One: Dartho
Chapter 1: The Dark One...
The night air was quite chilly. Tabitha did not notice, despite the fact she was in beggar's rags. She was too frightened to feel the cold. She glanced behind her in fear. The stories she had heard were true.
Suddenly, as she was looking behind her, Tabitha bumped into a man in a black overcoat with a black top hat and wearing dark grey trousers.
She did not observe his clothing at the time, as she backed away, or at least tried to. The man had a hold of her shoulders.
“I say, steady on there, Miss!” stated the gentleman, but Tabitha hardly heard him.
She kicked the man in the shins, making him let go of her. Tabitha heard shouting behind her but she kept running. Ducking into a side-alley, Tabitha stopped as she reached a dead end. A shadow loomed over the ten-year-old girl. Turning around whilst gasping in short but heavy breaths, Tabitha fainted from fright. She believed that her dark pursuer had finally caught up with her at last.
Tabitha awoke in a warm bed. She was in a strange room. The walls were white and the room looked moderately clean. The bed cover covered her body. Then, Tabitha noticed she was wearing some sort of dressing gown, her size too.
As she sat up, Tabitha noticed sunlight coming through a window.
It beamed down upon a writing desk against the wall of the window. A boy Tabitha's age was asleep in the oaken chair. His clothes were slightly dirty and torn from wearing on the streets.
Tabitha glanced around for her clothes, but did not see them anywhere.
Abruptly, the boy stirred awake and opened his eyes. He glanced at Tabitha sleepily and then glanced at the door on the opposite end of the room as it was pushed open.
The door leading into the room opened and in stepped a woman of a plump yet kind-looking manner. She wore the clothes of a servant. She was carrying two trays piled with food. She beamed and smiled at the two children who were awake.
“Oh, hope you slept well, my dears,” she exclaimed with happiness.
She set the two trays upon the desk. The boy was almost drooling, as he smelt the food. Tabitha blinked slightly in response.
“Don't mind me, dears. Go ahead and dig in!” exclaimed the jolly maid.
The boy did not need to be told twice. He grabbed a bun from one of the plates on a tray and started biting into it with gusto.
(to be continued...)
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Oct 21, 2011 4:18pm
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ElectricJam
Poker God
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: En Route
Posts: 636
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Keep at it : )
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Oct 22, 2011 3:41am
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SimonW
Universal Champion
Joined: Sep 2006
Location: In your mind.
Posts: 34
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Ta, ElectricJam. I shall upload more...right now!
I also want it known I shall upload one or two parts a day.
(chapter 1, part 2)
Tabitha ignored the food and continued to look at the woman. She had grey hair under a bonnet and her wrinkled but humble face looked like the kindly old lady she appeared to be.
“Aren't you hungry, dearie?” the old woman asked Tabitha.
Tabitha merely shook her head, not trusting herself to speak. Truth be told, she was starving, but Tabitha was still in a sense of shock from last night.
The boy, with his grubby hands clasping the half-eaten bun and mouth still stuffed with food, glanced over at Tabitha. He merely chewed some more and then swallowed the mouthful of bun in his throat. Without saying a word after a few seconds, the boy returned to his feasting. This time he was taking a bite out of a hot sausage, not seeming to care if he burnt his tongue on the delicious food.
Tabitha understood why the boy was preoccupied with eating. He was skinnier then she was, which was saying something. His raggedy and baggy clothes seemed to be his only salvation from cold weather. Even his cap had quite a few holes within it. He was a beggar, probably an orphan like Tabitha as well.
But behind the dirt, Tabitha could see sparkling blue eyes, almost like sapphires. His black hair was a mess of straight tangles.
The old woman had nodded almost sagely and had left the room via the doorway she entered, closing the door behind her.
Glancing back at the boy, Tabitha finally realized how hungry she was. And yet she did not feel comfortable to this cosy lifestyle. A warm bed, clean and soft clothes and a lovely feast every time you woke up.
She decided to ask the boy a few questions. Maybe he'd know what was going on.
“Hey,” she stated in a light and soft voice.
The boy glanced at her, his mouth full once more.
“Yeh?” he asked rather crudely before swallowing the food in his mouth.
“Do you know where we are?” Tabitha asked.
The boy shrugged his shoulders.
“Ain't got a clue,” he replied, eating the rest of his sausage that was in his right hand.
Swallowing the sausage after chewing, the boy paid his attention once more at Tabitha.
Alls I know is that this 'ere house is the bestest place fer grub!“ exclaimed the boy as he stood up from his chair, sighing in content of a satisfied meal.
He walked to the door. Turning, he glanced at Tabitha.
”Me name's Sammy Gibb by the way,“ he stated, almost proudly.
”I'm Tabitha Swanson,“ responded Tabitha.
Tabitha wasn't really called Swanson, but she felt it good and proper to answer with a last name, since the boy had told her his last name.
The boy smirked slightly.
”Well, see ya around, Tabitha. Have somewhat to eat, tis a grand brekky!" exclaimed Sammy Gibb, opening the door.
He left without another word, shutting the door behind him. Tabitha glanced over at the trays that were upon the sunlit table. Sammy had been considerate enough to not touch a single piece of food upon the other tray. When Tabitha noticed how empty the plate on the tray Sammy had eaten out of, she saw naught even the slightest crumb left.
(to be continued...)
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Oct 23, 2011 2:44am
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SimonW
Universal Champion
Joined: Sep 2006
Location: In your mind.
Posts: 34
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(chapter 1, part 3)
Feeling her stomach start to pine for something to eat, Tabitha pushed back the cover that was over her body. Dangling her legs over the edge of the bed, Tabitha set her feet down upon the wooden, polished floor. Amazingly, it felt warm, even though her feet were already warm from sleeping in the comfy bed.
Making her way to the table, Tabitha sat down within the chair Sammy had been sleeping in and delicately reached out and grabbed a sausage from her plate upon the tray. Eating the sausage, Tabitha was thoughtful over last night's events. The only logical reason why she was here was because someone had found her in the darkened side-alley. But, who?
Before Tabitha could think anything more, she heard the door behind her opening. Swallowing her chewed up sausage, Tabitha turned in the chair and glanced at the person who had entered the room. It was a rather pale-looking and thin woman wearing a long black homely made dress. She wore an apron tied around her waist and was wearing a small white hat, the kinds servants wear. She was obviously a maid. Tabitha reckoned the woman was maybe nine years older then herself. The maid was carrying some clean linen for the bed.
“I'm sorry fer troubling you, Miss,” said the forlorn maid. “I'm just needing to make your bed for you.”
“That's quite allright,” stated Tabitha, almost surprising herself with the tone of authority in her voice.
“Continue as you please,” Tabitha said more meekly.
The maid nodded curtly and went over to the bed. Tabitha watched her while continuing to eat her breakfast. The maid pulled down the large cover and removed the bed sheet. Putting aside the bed sheet, the maid deftly folded it over a chair that was beside the bed and unfolded the new sheet. Deftly lifting the corners of the bed one at a time, she tucked the bed sheet under and smoothed out the top. Taking the pillows, the maid took off the covers and put on some new pillowslips, fluffing up the pillows before arranging them at the head of the bed. Pulling the cover, she tucked it in at the sides and smoothed it out once more. After picking up the bed sheet draped over the chair and the pillowcases, the maid curtsied to Tabitha and left the room, closing the door behind her.
Tabitha sensed an eerie peace about herself, as she was alone once more. Silently continuing to eat her breakfast, Tabitha recalled last night in a sudden flash of her mind. A shadow, looming out of the darkness, Tabitha turning and running. After that it was all a haze. As if from a dream. She had no recollection of bumping into the man or of a mysterious stranger whom saved her after she fainted in the alleyway. It was all a blur of grimy black. Nothing of that night seemed to dawn upon her unfortunately. So, she was as much in the dark as the shadowy figure that had been pursuing her.
(to be continued...)
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Oct 23, 2011 2:48am
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SimonW
Universal Champion
Joined: Sep 2006
Location: In your mind.
Posts: 34
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Last part for today...
(chapter 1, part 4)
Shivering slightly, Tabitha pushed back the tray, not wishing to eat anything else. She was not up for it. Of course, she felt grateful for her mysterious host or hostess whomever that was that owned the house. But her stay was graciously overdrawn and she needed to get back out into the streets.
Standing up, Tabitha turned away from the sunlit window and walked towards the wooden door. Turning the copper handle Tabitha opened the door slightly. Hearing a small creak from the hinges as she partially opened the door and peered out. What struck Tabitha's eye mostly was the red velvet rug that seemed to go past her door. There was a finely crafted banister that curved downwards to what Tabitha reckoned was a stairwell that led to the lower area of the abode.
Opening her door fully but gently, Tabitha stepped out into the hallway and glanced to her left. There were a few more doors past hers and at the end there was a wall that had a vase of flowers on a small table against it. From what Tabitha could tell, they were bright tulips. Glancing to her right, Tabitha saw some more doors and another wall at the end with flowers on the table. These flowers were also tulips. Finding it a bit odd that the flowers were identical in every way as the other ones, Tabitha felt another slight shiver of uncertainty about the house she was in.
Stepping out of her room, Tabitha walked across to the banister and crouched down. She looked down and saw the main hall. The front door was closed but Tabitha knew it was the front door because of the muffled noise of the busy streets of London.
Suddenly, Tabitha saw the front door open and the noise of the street entering. A man stood in the doorway. He looked about twenty years of age, ten years older then Tabitha. He was what one would call a handsome man. The man wore a dark blue jacket with tails and a cream coloured silken shirt. His jacket pocket had a blue carnation pinned upon it. He sported a black top hat and had a dark brown cane clasped in his left hand. His grey trousers were wrinkle-free and looked hardly worn. To complete his ensemble he wore spiffed-up black shoes that also looked hardly worn.
Taking off his top hat, Tabitha noticed he had rich dark brown hair slicked back and neat upon his head. His blue eyes were almost like sapphires, gleaming brightly as he gazed around. He was about five feet and nine inches in height, his frame was hard to judge because of his clothes, but he looked about average weight.
The man walked out of Tabitha's view, possibly going down a corridor beneath the stairwell. Tabitha heard his footsteps continue along until she heard a door opening and shutting. The man had obviously gone into a room. Tabitha glanced at the front doorway the man had left open, that led out into the streets of London.
Tabitha was hesitant at first but ultimately decided it was her best chance to leave the house. Hurriedly going down the carpeted stairwell, Tabitha found herself at the foot of the stairwell with the surroundings looking more different then from above. An old-looking grandfather clock in one corner ticked as the seconds went by. Tabitha saw a cloak stand and upon it was a fur coat, obviously a woman's. Tabitha helped herself to it, knowing it was foolish to just go into the streets wearing only a nightgown. Putting the coat on, Tabitha went up to the doorway. Glancing back slightly, Tabitha wondered if it was the right thing to do. Brushing away these thoughts Tabitha knew it would not be safe. The shadow would find her, no matter where she went. She had to keep running. Stepping out into the cold street, Tabitha closed the front door of the place she almost felt was like Home...
End Of Chapter 1.
(to be continued...)
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Oct 24, 2011 6:36am
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SimonW
Universal Champion
Joined: Sep 2006
Location: In your mind.
Posts: 34
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(Chapter 2, part 5)
Chapter 2: Blood Strangers...
Ben was waiting. He did not know what he was waiting for. All he knew was that he was waiting. The twelve-year-old beggar boy mostly waited. He begged for a living, standing on the street and looking pitiful, which he was. Despite his age, he had yet to have his growth spurt, so was below the average height of regular twelve-year-old boys.
Within this desolate street, many people passed by Ben, not taking any notice of him. There was no money within his cap that was at his feet, there wouldn't be. Most of the upper class men sneered and said Ben was best to serve in a workhouse instead of begging for money.
The ladies were slightly kinder, but did not offer him anything, not even a speck of food. As for his own class, well, Ben knew there was no use in that. Most of them were as poor as he, maybe poorer.
But, Ben patiently waited. Normally, on a good day, he might get a shilling or two, but those days were few and high-between.
Ben was cold. He had stood out in the street for most of the night. Ben was near nigh of giving up when he spotted an odd thing. He saw a girl, probably younger then he, wearing a silken-looking nightgown and a fine fur coat come running down the street. As he saw her run by down a nearby alley, he had seen she wore no footwear. And if that wasn't as odd enough, Ben saw a Coppa was chasing after the girl. Ben continued waiting and then saw the Coppa had given up his chase of the young girl and the Coppa sauntered off down the busy road.
After leaving the house, Tabitha had run off down the street. She had caught the attention of a nearby policeman. He apparently thought she had stolen something and was chasing after her. Tabitha had ducked into an alleyway and had lost the policeman by hiding behind a nearby wall. She peeked out and saw the policeman had gone. Sighing in relief, Tabitha turned round and smacked into somebody.
The person was a toothless old crone and she cackled insanely. Her grotesque facial features jumped out at Tabitha, her grip tightening on Tabitha's arm.
“That's a nice coat you are wearing, dear... Let Granny have it now, good girl,” muttered the old woman threateningly.
Tabitha tried to squirm away, but that seemed to only anger the old woman and she wrenched the coat off of Tabitha. She left Tabitha only wearing the nightgown as she threw Tabitha aside.
Tabitha landed against the wall. She slid down it and was starting to cry.
(to be continued...)
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Oct 24, 2011 6:39am
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SimonW
Universal Champion
Joined: Sep 2006
Location: In your mind.
Posts: 34
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(chapter 2, part 6)
The old woman paid no attention to Tabitha, for she had hobbled away with her new coat and left Tabitha shivering in a corner of the alley.
Tabitha continued to cry to herself. She had almost forgotten how cruel and unkind the outside life was, to be a beggar meant you had to watch yourself, lest you become mugged in an alleyway. Much like Tabitha had been done. Bringing her knees up to her chest and feeling the harsh dampness of the bitter cold, Tabitha continued to cry. Her eyes started to puff up with a reddish hue.
Suddenly, Tabitha heard footsteps approaching her. She shivered in dread. The shadow, had it come back for her?
Closing her eyes tightly, Tabitha heard the footsteps drawing nearer. Sobbing in fear, Tabitha did not notice the shadow pass over her pitiful frame. Tabitha did not dare to open her eyes as she felt a hand touch her shoulder. Then, she had heard a voice.
“Hey, are you okay?” asked the voice. It was young, like hers. But, it was a boy's voice. Confusion over sweeping her tears, Tabitha opened her eyes. She saw a smallish boy crouching beside her. His hand re-assuring as he was touching her shoulder. His cap sat slightly askew upon his red-haired head. His brown eyes radiated concern. He wore woollen rags. Nothing fancy, just brown shirt and pants.
Tabitha said nothing. She was still getting over the shock and surprise. She really thought the shadow had come for her. But instead, it was this boy, a common boy. Most like her, despite being a girl and slightly younger and taller then him.
As she continued to stare at him, Ben started to feel uneasy and removed his hand from her shoulder.
Without saying another word, Ben started walking back up the alleyway.
“Thank you,” he had heard a soft voice say.
Without looking back or stopping, Ben wandered out of the alleyway, leaving the girl in the nightgown behind.
Tabitha had quietly called out as the boy was leaving. Whether he heard her or not, she did not quite know.
Getting to her feet, Tabitha wandered through the dark corridors, the back alleyways of London.
With the smoke and clouds above her, Tabitha knew any moment it was going to rain. There was only one safe place for her when it rained, Madame Claudia's.
End of Chapter 2.
(to be continued...)
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Oct 25, 2011 6:15am
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SimonW
Universal Champion
Joined: Sep 2006
Location: In your mind.
Posts: 34
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(chapter 3, part 7)
Chapter 3: Madame Claudia.
The rain was pelting down. Most of the other people scurried indoors or had their umbrellas out. Tabitha was drenched, her flimsy nightgown clutching at her skin. Shivering, her teeth slightly chattering, Tabitha tried to hug herself as she ran within the rain. Her hair was very wet, slicked back by the rain. As she stopped, Tabitha glanced up at a building in a back alleyway. It had a green door and a solitary lamp underneath the overhanging roof. This was the best place for Tabitha, the only place during the wet weather.
Her feet made small splashing noises as she ran in inch high water of the cobblestone back alley. Getting under the safety of the overhanging roof, Tabitha knocked feebly on the door, her wet form still shivering miserably.
“Don' bother me now, Bill, there be someone at the door,” Tabitha heard a woman's cockney accent drawl before the green door opened inwards.
A woman of 30 stood in the doorway. She wore a red-laced dress, a bit shabby looking, but most likely the best dress the woman could afford. Despite her age, the woman looked around mid-twenties, with her cheerful expression and red hair in curls reaching her shoulders. Her dress cut off in a triangle, nearly showing the cleavage of her person. Upon her head was a red boa feather and she wore high-heeled shoes.
As she saw Tabitha, the woman seemed to pity the poor child.
“Oh, well, look who's 'ere! Come on 'in dearie an' I'll git your clothes washed!” exclaimed the flamboyant Madame Claudia.
Tabitha readily entered the house of Madame Claudia.
It was nothing fancy. The whole house was of wooden variety, slabbed into the back of concrete bricks of the back alleyway. The area looked a tad bit dusty, but otherwise, was a good place for men of all kinds to rest. Tabitha glanced up the wooden staircase as a man started coming down them, the staircase creaking each time he put his feet down.
“What's this 'ere, Claudie?” asked the man.
He was dressed in a jacket and shirt, his brown pants reaching past his knees and he wore heavy boots as well. He had a bit of stubble on his chin, as if he had not been shaving. The man also had a slight squint in his left eye.
“No you mind, Bill. Go back upstairs,” muttered Madame Claudia, shooing him away.
The man known as Bill grunted and went back up the stairs. The staircase creaked again.
Madame Claudia smiled at Tabitha.
“You pay no mind to Bill. He an ol' softy at heart,” she stated to Tabitha. “You wait 'ere an' I'll git you some more 'lothes.”
Tabitha nodded meekly and sat down upon a wooden chair in the small hallway.
Madame Claudia left the room to the left, into what appeared to be another room but was out of Tabitha's vision. Madame Claudia seemed to sway side to side as she was leaving, as if she had been drinking.
Tabitha was still cold and wet from the rain. Though the house was sturdy, there was a bit of a draft as well.
Shivering, Tabitha closed her legs together and held her arms with her own hands, trying to brave the shivers that over swept her.
It wasn't long before Tabitha heard the trotting of Madame Claudia's high heels upon the worn out and dusty floorboards.
(to be continued...)
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Oct 25, 2011 6:20am
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SimonW
Universal Champion
Joined: Sep 2006
Location: In your mind.
Posts: 34
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(chapter 3, part 8 )
Tabitha glanced up at the smiling face of Madame Claudia. The woman was not exactly a budding rose, but she had a fanciful charm which made Tabitha suspect that was the reason men spent their time with Madame Claudia.
Being ten, Tabitha knew well enough that it was not exactly polite to think of such things, for she liked Madame Claudia.
It was Madame Claudia whom had seemed like a distant relative, always providing shelter to those in need.
Madame Claudia presented some clean clothes to Tabitha. They were haphazardly folded but seemed warm enough.
“Here ya are, dearie. Mind ya put this here 'lothes on. I got Bill ter tend to. He dun like to be kept waitin', my Bill,” Madame Claudia said, smiling as she leaned back into an upright position after handing Tabitha the clothes.
Tabitha had meekly taken the clothes, after removing her hands from her arms. She held the clothes close to her chest, glad of the warm feeling the clothes had upon her wet nightgown and cold skin.
Madame Claudia had drawn her attention away from Tabitha. Having done her good deed for the day, she had felt she deserved herself a good stiff drink. And if any were to be found, it would be with good old Bill.
Madame Claudia braced herself slightly as she started to trot up the wooden stairway, swaying from side to side as she placed her high-heeled feet upon each step.
She was soon gone after a few rapt banging of the steps above brought upon by the high-heeled shoes she wore. Small clouds of dust cascaded down from the wooden roof, after-effects of the stomping of the shoes.
Tabitha did not hear the upstairs door shutting, or a few drunken shrieks of laughter from Madame Claudia. All Tabitha heard in her mind were the steady drips from her wet clothes plopping down onto the wooden floor. Probably the only time the place had been cleaned for a few years.
Still clasping the clothes Madame Claudia had given her, Tabitha was about to get up when she heard a sharp, “BANG! BANG! BANG!” from the front door to the left of her. Tabitha jolted slightly, glancing at the door, fear grasping her chest. Could it be? Did the shadow of her nightmares follow her? Was she doomed to keep running? What if...?
That was as far as Tabitha's train of thought went as Tabitha saw the door's rusty handle was suddenly starting to turn.
Tabitha felt her heart pounding within her chest. She held the clothes tightly, her knuckle bones starting to ache from squeezing the clothes so hard.
The door was flung open with force after the handle had been turned all the way. Standing in the still pouring rain, there were three men dressed in policemen garb.
They stood in the doorway for several seconds, glancing at Tabitha.
Tabitha was shocked to see them, but she was also relieved it wasn’t what she allowed herself to believe.
Two of the policemen entered, the third entered last, holding the door open.
“Where is the wrench?” asked the one holding the door to Tabitha.
Tabitha could not say anything; she knew well enough not to say anything. But, she did glance up as she heard more banging coming from upstairs, causing more dust to billow out of the wooden roof.
(to be continued...)
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Oct 26, 2011 2:56pm
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SimonW
Universal Champion
Joined: Sep 2006
Location: In your mind.
Posts: 34
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(chapter 3, part 9)
“Right,” stated the policeman by the door as he and the other two policemen followed Tabitha’s gaze. He signalled with his nightstick at the two other policemen to head upstairs.
The two officers plodded upstairs, leaving Tabitha with their commanding officer.
After a few minutes of waiting, Tabitha and the remaining policeman heard a ruckus upstairs, a bottle smashing and some rather vulgar language of which Tabitha felt made the police officer turn his face beetroot.
Eventually, the two officers came down, leading the handcuffed Bill and Madame Claudia down the stairs.
Bill had his face smeared with lipstick, his clothes were rumpled and his shirt practically nearly torn off. Madame Claudia was in her pantaloons, shouting drunken profanity and other such things.
The policemen paid no heed, dragging Bill and Madame Claudia out into the rain.
The officer glanced at Tabitha with something that looked like pity.
“You got a home to go to?” asked the police officer.
Tabitha knew that if she said no, she would be sent to an orphanage, since that was what she was. Tabitha merely nodded her head in reply.
“Well, mind the weather out there, young un,” said the police officer as he sighed and closed the wooden door behind him.
Tabitha was once again alone, she now felt empty inside. Her friend had been arrested. That was all Tabitha knew. But, what Tabitha didn’t know was that Madame Claudia would be hanged the following day after her arrest.
Tabitha had nobody to go to now. All she had was some new clothes that she promptly changed into and the dark streets to help guide her way through the night.
End of Chapter 3.
(to be continued...)
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Oct 26, 2011 3:00pm
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SimonW
Universal Champion
Joined: Sep 2006
Location: In your mind.
Posts: 34
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(chapter 4, part 10)
Chapter 4: Shadows In The Night...
The day was bleak, the very air surrounded by a blanket of soot and smoke. Wet grime-covered stonewalls were almost oozing refuge from the sewer-riddled ground below. A vast network of large tunnels that were the underbelly of London, a cesspool for the abandoned and unwanted. Their cold and clammy fingers reach out for comfort, their hopeful eyes brimming with tears that would not come to fathom under all the dirt. Some had grown blind by this cruel living despite the amount of times they bathed and washed their eyes in the rain, for it made no difference. The refuse had done its work.
Tabitha felt frightened as she tiptoed through these large sewer ducts, careful not to fall into the waste that was rushing past her, a river of filth.
There were many children, if one would call them children. They were mere shadows of what they once were, crippled by the stench of decay and unable to reach the surface of London, not that it was much better up there.
Tabitha ignored the children she passed, for despite knowing how they felt, Tabitha knew there was nothing she could do for these wretched yet innocent souls. They'd have to fend for themselves, a network of urchins that worked above and below the streets of London.
Making her way past them, Tabitha turned right at a junction and found herself in front of a shabby-looking door. It was merely a piece of rotting wood covering a crevice and was held in place by an old rope that hung from some pipes.
Knocking slightly, Tabitha waited as her knocks hit the rotten wood and echoed dully before it stopped.
Tabitha knew she had a purpose, for there were other places besides Madame Claudia's to go to if she was in desperate need of a place to stay.
Tabitha left her thoughts as she saw the rotten door start to swing open on the frayed rope hinges that held it in place.
Tabitha waited as the hole in the wall was unbarred and from the darkness of the crevice a figure shuffled towards her.
For a slight instant, Tabitha was worried but was relieved as she saw it was only Sammy Gibb, the boy she met in the posh place. He was standing in the opening that led into the home of the friend she wanted to find. He was more dirty then she remembered seeing him last, but that was because he was treated to a bath at the posh place.
She was slightly surprised after her initial reaction, which was relief. Before Tabitha had time to speak, Sammy had uttered what she would have said.
(to be continued...)
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Oct 27, 2011 7:22am
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SimonW
Universal Champion
Joined: Sep 2006
Location: In your mind.
Posts: 34
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Quote:
I enjoy reading this |
Glad you enjoy it. It is meant to be enjoyed. 
(chapter 4, part 11)
“What are ya doin' 'ere?” asked the as much surprised Sammy Gibb.
Tabitha noticed there was no malice or disdain in the boy's voice, he wore a grin upon his face.
“Same thing as you, it seems,” replied Tabitha to Sammy Gibb.
Sammy nodded slightly, as if accepting what she had stated.
“Yeh, guess so,” he said as he began to squeeze his body through the crevice in the wall.
For a moment Tabitha thought he would get stuck, but realized this was foolish, for he was as skinny as her and managed to slip out unhindered.
With a few sideways glances to check the coast was clear, Sammy stepped to the side of the crevice in the wall.
“He be waitin' for yeh,” remarked Sammy to Tabitha simply.
Tabitha acknowledged this and brushed past Sammy Gibb, making her way to the tight opening in the wall.
Tabitha had more trouble then Sammy did, for she tore the long white singlet she had gotten from Madame Claudia. She did not pay heed, for the rip was only an inch or two long and was near her lower leg. Tabitha was also wearing some old undergarments, proper ones, probably ones Madame Claudia had back in the day before she led a life of sin.
Despite all her misgivings, Tabitha really appreciated Madame Claudia because she never forced Tabitha into her way of living. And she made sure Tabitha would be bundled safely so as to not give the wrong impressions to any ruffians upon the streets.
Tabitha was unheeded by the tear in her long singlet. It felt like the nightgown she had worn before, but was slightly easier to move around in. Dragging very slightly along the dirt and grime, it was not long before the bottom of the singlet was matted with mud and who knows what else. But, then again, it was not very clean to begin with.
Tabitha found herself in a large tunnel behind the wall. It looked man-made, a few lanterns on the dirt pathway, flickering and casting strange shadows on the dirt walls.
Tabitha looked back as she heard Sammy come back through, closing the rotten door behind him by yanking on the rope.
Tabitha glanced back down the dirt path, a sea of darkness ahead with a faint smell of musk from the sewage behind her.
Walking forward, Tabitha felt the ground beneath her cold feet. It felt slightly moist, obviously there was moist because of the rain from topside had cascaded down and been sucked down into the lower-levels of London.
Without looking back, Tabitha continued forward into the darkness, the only light visible was from the lanterns on the ground and even that did not really help to improve the dimly lit tunnel.
(to be continued...)
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Oct 27, 2011 7:25am
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SimonW
Universal Champion
Joined: Sep 2006
Location: In your mind.
Posts: 34
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(chapter 4, part 12)
Tabitha knew Sammy was behind her, she could hear his footsteps behind hers. He was keeping a safe distance, in case he needed to be on lookout duty again at the front door.
After walking for several minutes, Tabitha had found out that the tunnel had widened, she had no fear of touching the dirty and moss-covered walls.
Tabitha heard a distant sound ahead, it was faint at first, but as she drew closer to the end of the tunnel, the sound was a lot clearer.
It sounded like a person was humming gently, an odd little melody that wafted upon a breeze that chilled Tabitha as it by-passed her.
Shivering slightly, Tabitha stopped. She halted slightly by the coldness that over swept her.
Glancing at the walls, Tabitha could see the flickering shadows appear to dance, having no real form as they swayed in the dimly-lit passageway by the flame in a solitary lantern.
“Oi! What be the 'oldup?” asked Sammy Gibb as he caught up to Tabitha and stood behind her.
Tabitha did not reply. She had barely heard Sammy. Tabitha was enraptured by the figureless shadows that appeared to dance to the person's humming that came from up ahead.
In all honesty, the shadows were flickering to the flame from the candle-lit lantern, but Tabitha had no notion of this because of one thing, she was only ten years old.
Tabitha remained rigid for a few minutes until Sammy's words had sunk into her mind.
Without speaking, Tabitha began to move slowly forward once more, trying to ignore the dancing shadows upon the walls.
She found herself at the end of the tunnel, where it widened out into an inner sanctum, a chamber of sorts. There was a faint smell of flowers in the air that made Tabitha feel sleepy for some reason.
In a dark cobblestone corner was a small living area, a few dirty rags on the floor.
Next to the rags was a small inkwell with a feather dipped into it. Some sheets of parchment were scattered around the small area.
The room was small, but looked sturdy enough, it's ceiling a mass of pipes with a few shrivelled roots from long dead trees.
Sammy Gibb entered the room behind Tabitha and he merely leaned against the wall of the cave.
A solitary lantern was lit near the inkwell; the face of the humming man Tabitha had wanted to see was bathed in the lamplight.
He was an old man, scruffy with rags covering his feeble body. But, he also wore a heavy overcoat that looked dusty and well worn.
The man was wearing a monocle, a streak of light making it gleam despite the fact it was rather grimy looking.
The man's face was a kindly one and his grey beard was unevenly cut into a goatee.
He glanced over at Tabitha, lifting his withered hand to his monocle to readjust it. He had stopped humming.
“Ah, you have come at last,” remarked the old man.
His voice was kindly yet wavered when he talked, it would not be as strong as it was when he was younger. His accent was that of a higher English gentleman, but was also coarse enough so as to not be able to fool the upper class men themselves of his rather common background.
Tabitha had felt glad to see him. The Illustrator was well known in the underground section of orphans. He was the one who taught them to read and write to spell and think beyond what they could have imagined possible.
And more then that, he was a common criminal.
End Of Chapter 4
(to be continued...)
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Oct 28, 2011 4:44am
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SimonW
Universal Champion
Joined: Sep 2006
Location: In your mind.
Posts: 34
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(chapter 5, part 13)
Chapter 5: The Illustrator's Dream...
But, the orphans did not care, for he was simply The Illustrator to them. Always has, always will be.
Tabitha watched as the old man dressed in the pale robe had stood up from his corner. She could almost hear those old bones creak from where she stood.
Walking towards Tabitha, The Illustrator, formally known as Leroy Surrey, had a smile upon his face that made the whole room appear slightly brighter from Tabitha's eyes.
The Illustrator was a kind man who had educated Tabitha when she was only five. Tabitha was like a granddaughter to him, being the only child who was fully capable of looking after herself.
Tabitha had often wondered what had made a man like that become reduced to living in the sewers. When she was eight, a boy called Fred Jenkins told Tabitha that The Illustrator was a criminal on the run. He had apparently been a bookkeeper and did a swindle on his taxes. The Illustrator was caught, but had fled custody by running down an alleyway after jumping out of the police coach.
Tabitha was enthralled by the man's history with the police and she was very inquisitive even at that age. Which was more then could be said by other orphans in The Illustrator's care. They just knew he was there, but had never questioned WHY he was there or in actual fact WHO he was.
To them, he was just a kind old gentleman whom looked after them.
Tabitha had been thinking all this as The Illustrator walked towards her, dragging his left leg behind him. His left foot was practically lame. It was so much diseased with numbness that The Illustrator could not feel anything in it. He merely scraped it along behind him as he walked.
The Illustrator's leg scraped along the ground as he walked over to Tabitha.
She had not seen him for months, but he seemed as tired and old as he ever looked.
“I was about to give up hope,” said The Illustrator as he stopped walking, standing a few inches from Tabitha's face.
“Hope is what defines us sir,” replied Tabitha, having memorised what she was taught by this great man.
The Illustrator chuckled slightly, if one could call it a chuckle. It was raspy and faltering, The Illustrator having not laughed for seven years. Not since his knowledge of his real daughter's death in the newspapers.
“You have not forgotten me,” he stated sagely, reaching out and patting Tabitha on her head with his bony hand.
This was the only gesture of affection The Illustrator did to those few children whom he thought were different. Different from the rest of the almost empty vessels that laid within the wastes of London's sewerage.
He never harmed them nor reprimanded them, for the top world people did that enough to the poor souls whom had gotten in their way. High society was not a very caring one. Despite the advantages of having money, it made one black and cold on the inside.
Taking his hand from Tabitha's head, The Illustrator turned and started hobbling back to his corner, talking as he did.
“Come, child. I have a thing that should interest you,” he muttered to Tabitha as he was walking away.
Tabitha obeyed, walking forward. Any gift from The Illustrator was a good gift. At times it was a book, other times it was an extra piece of clothing, but only for those that were attentive in The Illustrator’s lessons.
The Illustrator bent down, his old bones creaking as he thumbed through his pieces of parchment, the monocle glinting in the lamplight once more.
The Illustrator's face beamed as he picked up an item that was buried beneath the mounds of old parchment.
He turned to Tabitha and she stopped moving forward, glancing at the thing that was in The Illustrator's hand.
It was a small trinket, a gold-looking necklace chain with a crescent moon formed from iron.
(to be continued...)
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